The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1887-12-02
wasH,NcroN's STATE DINNER
A Solemn Scene 1t which the Father ~
His Country Presided.

Times change and dinners change Win
them. "a WAS seen by comparing the nc
counts of President Clevelands last state
dinner with one given by President Wash
Ington. I have copied IL from the manu-
script diary kept by William Maclay, q
senator from the state OF Pennsylvania IN
the first Federal congress he was tne
origiI.al collector, and he made himseH
very disagreeable 10 President Washing
ton and his supporters. One day after
Washington had met the senate he says;
IL was called out by the doorkeeper 10
speak 10 Col Humphreys. IL was TO III
yite me 70 dinner with the president on
Thursday next at o'clock. / really was
surprised at the invitation. II will be my
duty TO 90: however, will make NJ In.
ferences whatever / am convinced all
the dinne.s he can now give, or ever
could. will make no difference in my con-
luct." Then we have his account OF the
Inner:
"Tbe president and Mrs. Washington
sat opposite each other in the middle OF
the table; the two secretaries, one at each
end it was great dinner, and the best
of the kind ever | was IT. First was
soup; fish, roasted and boiledi meats,
CANNON, fowls, etc. The middle Of the
table was garnished In the usual tasty
way with small images artificial flowers,
etc. The dessert was, first, apple pies,
buildings. etc. then iced creams jeiiies,
etc: then watermelons. muskmelons,
apples, peaches nuts. 1t was the most
solemn dinner ever sat at Not a health
drunk, scarce word said until the cloth
was taken away. Then the president,
taking a glass Of wine with great formal
ity, drank 10 the health OF every individ-
ual By name round the table Everybody
initiated him, charged glasses. and such n
buzz Of health, sir, and health. madam
and thank you, sir, and thank you,
madam never had / heard before. In
deed l had like TO have been thrown out
In the hurry; but got little wine in my
glass and passed the ceremony"
Mr. Maclay goes on to tell us TINT 'the
adde's sat Il good while and the bottles
passed about, but there was a dead silence
almost. Mrs Washington NJ last with
drew with the ladies. expected the men
would now begin, but the same stiffness
remained The president told Of a New
England clergyman who had lost hat
and wig in passing river called the
Brunks He smiled and everybody
laughed He now and then said a SEN
tence or two on some common subject, and
what he said was not amiss. There was
a Mr. Smith, who mentioned how Homer
described Eneas as leaving his wife and
carrying his father ont Of flaming Troy.
lie had heard somebody Il supposel witty
on the occasion, but If he bad ever read IL
he would have said Virgil llt does not
appear that Washington, Adams, Jay or
9ny o. her Of the magnates present detected
the biunder The president kept a fork
in his hand when the cloth was taken
away. / thought for tie purpose II pick
ing nuts He ate no nuts, but played
with the fork. striking on the edge of the
table with H. We did not sit long after
the ladies retired The president rose,
went up stairs 10 drink coffee he com
pany followed / took my hat and came
home Ben Perle5 Po0re.